IB Sciences at JICHS
Frequently Asked Questions and Information about the courses
Revised April 2024
What IB Sciences are available?
IB Design Technology SL - New in 23/24!
IB Biology HL - this is a 2 year course
IB Sports Exercise and Health Science SL (24/25 school year)
IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL (25/26 school year)
AP/IB Chemistry SL
AP/IB Physics SL
Who should take IB Sciences?
IB Courses for Certificate Credit
Students may take individual IB courses for certificate credit. Many universities will recognize this work with college credit.
Sciences
Biology HL
Chemistry SL
Design Technology SL
Environmental Systems SL
Physics SL
Sports Exercise and Health SL
Mathematics
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations SL
The Arts
Music SL
Visual Arts SL
Visual Arts HL
Studies in Language and Literature
Language and Literature HL
Language Acquisition
French B HL
Spanish B HL
Individuals & Societies
Economics SL
Environmental Systems SL
Global Politics SL
US History HL 1
IB History of the Americas HL 2
Philosophy SL
Social Anthropology SL
Why take IB Sciences?
IB Diploma graduates have an 18% better chance of admission into an Ivy League university and a 22% greater chance of acceptance into a top public university.
Recent diploma graduates have earned acceptance and scholarships from elite universities such as McGill University, University of Michigan, American University, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina
‘Cookie Camaraderie’?
In the spirit of fellowship and as a way to help students decompress, the science department hosts Cookie Camaraderie one day each month. Each month has a different theme that correlates with a holiday.
Myths:
IAs…
Internal Assessments are required in all IB courses.
The positive thing about science IAs is you get to do experiments!
You’ll come up with a research question, design an experiment, analyze the data collected and organize everything into your IA.
If IAs make you nervous don’t worry! We have procedures in place to help you navigate the process.
IB Design Technology - new for 23/24 school year!
IMPORTANT!
You can take more than 1 IB science course in a year.
We have students who take IB Biology and IB Chemistry in the same year.
We have students who take IB Biology and IB Environmental in the same year.
We have students who take IB Biology and Sports Exercise in the same year.
We have students who take IB Biology and IB Physics in the same year.
We have students who take IB Chemistry and IB Physics in the same year.
The bottom line is… You can take 2 IB sciences in the same year!
IB Biology HL - Year 1
*Year one is all about figuring out how to be an IB science student.
*We cover overarching themes that include unity and diversity, form and function and interaction and interdependence
*We do lots of labs, case studies and group work. We even visit DNR during our class period!
IB Biology HL - Year 2
*Year two is all about preparing for May!
*We continue our study of overarching themes from Year 1.
*We do lots of labs, case studies and group work.
*We do our IA!
*We also do FIELD Work!!!
A letter from a Class of 2023 Graduate:
Spring 2024 - MARINE LAB in Key Largo!
IB Biology Years 1 and 2 and IB ESS are going to Marine Lab!
We also went to Marine Lab in Spring 2022.
IB SEHS
Health Science
Exercise
Sports
IB SEHS … 2022-2023
AP/IB Chemistry
Do your career plans include medicine?
Do you career plans include engineering?
Do you find chemical reactions fascinating?
Do you like math?
If you answered YES to any of these questions then AP/IB Chemistry is the course for you!
This course takes Honors Chemistry to the college level.
Students Earn both AP Chemistry credit and IB SL Chemistry credit
Students get to participate in the Group 4 project. (A collaborative project that all of the IB science students work on together.)
The course is completed in one year.
AP/IB Physics
Do you like analyzing physical phenomenon?
Do you like connecting these phenomenon with mathematical concepts?
Do you think analytically and conceptually?
Do your future plans involve a career in engineering?
If you answered YES to any of these questions then AP/IB Physics is where you need to be!
Students Earn both AP Physics credit and IB SL Physics credit
The course is completed in one year.
Ye Ole Trebuchet
In AP/IB Physics concepts are tested.
Rube Goldberg
Testing Hypotheses
IB ESS
We investigate ecosystems and the effect that humans have on the world around us.
IB ESS covers a range of topics including: pollution, climate change, and environmental systems.
We perform labs, go outside, and dive into case studies!
IB Environmental Systems and Societies
What Students Had to Say
IB/AP Physics: “I enjoy IB physics because it challenges my mind” - Joseph
IB/AP Chemistry: “I enjoyed the smaller and tight knit class that challenged me” - Charis
IB ESS: “It’s less “nitty-gritty” and more about human connections to science and the real world today. It’s very relevant. I also really like the labs we do, and we get to go on field trips” - Hannah
IB SEHS: “I enjoyed IB SEHS because I’m an athlete and the class felt so practical. It was so interesting to learn how my body works while I play a sport. I am also not much of a science person, so it was less commitment than a 2-year class” - Ella
IB Biology: “I love IB Bio because it allows me to investigate my passion for science in hands on settings while providing me with in-depth exploration of topics” - Parker